Nation Continues to Mourn for Virginia Tech Victims (VIDEO)

While Cho was at Virginia Tech, warnings of his madness ran rampant throughout the campus.

(BLACKSBURG, Va.) - On Wednesday, NBC News headquarters in New York received correspondence believed to be from Cho Seung-Hui, the gunman responsible for the fatal shootings at Norris Hall. The correspondence includes multiple photographs, video, and writings.

Upon receipt of this correspondence, NBC News immediately notified authorities. NBC News security is to be commended for alerting authorities on this correspondence and handling it in a manner to preserve its integrity.

The originals have been turned over to the FBI and the Virginia State Police have been working with the FBI, ATF and Virginia Tech Police Department on this new evidence.

This may be a new critical component of this investigation, and as a result it is being analyzed.

The information about NBC receiving a package from Cho comes amid the news that the shooter was declared to be mentally ill and a danger to others by a Virginia judge in late 2005.

Explaining the difficulty of this type of situation, one special judge in Virginia says it is difficult to take a person into custody even when they are declared an imminent danger.

Cho was contacted two times during his time at Virginia Tech by police over stalking women. Two of his roommates that appeared on television say they scarcely knew him, saying he was quiet, odd, and scary to some women on the campus.

They also said he had an imaginary girlfriend named "Jelly" who called him "Spanky." Cho described his imaginary girlfriend as having the appearance of a supermodel.

The Virginia judge says his hands are tied in a case like this, "After a full hearing and if the person has denied to be a voluntary patient, if there is clear and overwhelming evidence, I am still obligated to look at less restrictive means over incarceration if they are available and appropriate."

The documents from 2005 declare that he was mentally ill and an imminent danger to others. It also said he was "in need of hospitalization, so seriously mental ill, that he has to be incapable of caring for himself."

At least one professor has spoken out now to say that it was extremely clear that Cho was dangerous, and that she took steps to have him removed from her classroom.

Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine has declared Friday, April 20th, 2007 a statewide day of mourning for the victims of Monday’s tragedy at Virginia Tech.

On Friday, Governor Kaine will participate in an interfaith prayer service in Monroe Park on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He has encouraged other communities in Virginia and across the nation to hold their own simultaneous ceremonies and participate in prayer services, beginning with the ringing of bells at noon, eastern daylight savings time.

“As our Commonwealth begins the long and difficult healing process, I am filled with images of a Virginia Tech community that is resilient and unified,” said Governor Kaine. “I ask that everyone in Virginia pause at noon on Friday to offer prayers of support for the victims, their families, and for all those affected by this tragedy.”

The Richmond prayer service will take place at Monroe Park, Belvidere and Main Streets, and will begin at noon eastern daylight savings time.

Ross Abdallah Alameddine Hometown: Saugus, Massachusetts Sophomore, University Studies Student since fall 2005

Matthew Gregory Gwaltney Hometown: Chesterfield, Virginia Master’s student, Environmental Engineering Graduate student since fall 2005

Emily Jane Hilscher Hometown: Woodville, Virginia Freshman, Animal and Poultry Sciences Student since fall 2006

Matthew Joseph La Porte Hometown: Dumont, New Jersey Sophomore, University Studies Student since fall 2005

Henry J. Lee Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia Sophomore, Computer Engineering Student since fall 2006

Lauren Ashley McCain Hometown: Hampton, Virginia Freshman, International Studies Student since fall 2006

Minal Hiralal Panchal Hometown: Mumbai, India Master’s student, Architecture Student since fall 2006

Waleed Mohamed Shaalan Hometown: Blacksburg, Virginia (originally from Egypt) Ph.D. student, Civil Engineering Student since fall 2006

Liviu Librescu Professor, Engineering Science and Mechanics Residence in Blacksburg Joined Virginia Tech on September 1st, 1985

To honor and remember the victims of Monday's tragedy, the university has created the April 16th Memorial Website, rosa.hosting.vt.edu/index.php/memorial, so individuals may share condolences, thoughts, and prayers.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

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friend August 11, 2015 1:21 pm (Pacific time)

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Rewneomyhow August 11, 2015 10:15 am (Pacific time)

thanks for posting this, it really is informative

NRA MEMBER April 21, 2007 12:07 pm (Pacific time)

Simply enforce the laws on the books. People please do not pay attention to the gun grabbers, they either are grossly misinformed or they are intentionally trying to misinform you. The latter should be presumed to be anti-American's.

Hank Ruark April 21, 2007 8:46 am (Pacific time)

To all: "See with own eyes" here surely emphasizes warnings unheeded. Wise laws for gun control, properly enforced, might well have precluded this tragedy by prescient enforcement from painful past experiences.

Roger Texas April 19, 2007 6:03 am (Pacific time)

Awesome, Powerful video! Thanks for showing it Salem-News!

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